The Cincinnati Bengals narrowly missed out on their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance this season, losing on a last-second field goal to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game. However, reports have emerged that star safety Jessie Bates will likely not be on the Bengals next season.
Bates has been an integral piece of the Bengals’ defense for the past five seasons, but he will likely be elsewhere in 2023 after being franchise tagged this past offseason.
According to Bengals beat writer for The Athletic Jay Morrison via NFL insider Dov Kleiman on Twitter, Bates is “as good as gone” from the Bengals and is expected to become a free agent in March.
#Bengals Safety Jessie Bates is "as good as gone" from Cincinnati, writes @JayMorrisonATH
Bates is expected to hit free-agency after playing on the franchise tag in 2022.
He should be one of the better free-agents available in March. pic.twitter.com/lv20bQH9sY
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 24, 2023
This is certainly a massive development for the future of the Bengals and many around the NFL world took to social media to offer their take on this report.
I wish he could’ve stuck around. Like the guy, and 2020-21 were great times. But I understand the want to chase that bag
— Jack 💥 (@Cincinneumeyer) February 24, 2023
We all knew this already, ngl.
Most of us already moved on last season.I’m glad Jess honored his franchise tag & didn’t whine & pout like some do. Nothing but love for 30 over this way & I hope he bags all the way out 🫡
— Nati Sports (@Nati_Sports) February 24, 2023
This is why you don’t jump up and trade multiple picks for him last year.. https://t.co/JKUCvl6vAN
— tom stakes (@tomstakes) February 24, 2023
Cincinnati could seemingly franchise tag Bates again, but it seems like he will become a free agent otherwise. Even if they do ultimately decide to franchise tag him, there is likely a chance that he could sit out until he either receives an extension or is traded.
Bates has expressed his frustrations this past season with playing on the franchise tag and is unlikely to do so next season.
This creates an extremely intriguing potential signing for other interested teams around the league if he does indeed hit free agency. He has been extremely productive in his five seasons in the NFL, recording 14 career interceptions for the Bengals.
